I lost a good friend on Friday. Over the years and through many letters (yes, letters), phone calls, and a men’s retreat, he and I ministered to each other. Our friendship went way back and it has always been rich and meaningful and God was often at the center of it. Our friendship was one of the truest examples of a spiritual one that I have ever experienced. I thank him for that.
Through our friendship, both personal and spiritual, he taught me:
- That in order to help someone you have to not only do the nice thing but also try to do the best thing for that person
- That service to others means being creative and letting God guide you
- That to help someone, it may take risks. But those risks are worth it
- That life’s struggles aren’t superficial. They may require sacrifice beyond measure
- That true friendship doesn’t have to have an agenda
- That being a brother in Christ means more than being a friend
- That overwhelming obstacles can be overcome
- That you can always do more
- That I am powerless over so much
- That my prayers can be ridiculously selfish
- That there may be more questions than answers
- That genuine bonds can spread over decades
- That hurt may be present but love shines brighter
One of the last things he wrote to me was, “You’ve been there.”And then he signed off with, “Thank you my Brother.”
No, thank you my Brother and friend. What you taught me I will carry to help others and our legacy of friendship will be a testimony to God’s great work in our lives.
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